A storage unit

ABSTRACT

A storage unit ( 1 ) has a first end panel ( 10   a ) and a second end panel ( 10   b ) arranged in spaced relation to one another and at least one elongate rod ( 20 ) connecting the first end panel ( 10   a ) to the second end panel ( 10   b ). Each of the first end panel ( 10   a ) and the second end panel ( 10   b ) includes at least one rod receiving element ( 30, 32 ) in the internal side thereof in which a rod ( 20 ) is receivable. The rod receiving elements ( 30, 32 ) each include a first seat portion ( 42 ) and a second seat portion ( 44 ) in which the end of the rod ( 20 ) is receivable in first and second configurations respectively.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a storage unit and more particularly to a storage unit having shelves formed of a plurality of elongate moveable/adjustable rods.

BACKGROUND

Shelving systems are a long established means of storing objects such as books, DVDs and CDs. A known shelving system consists of two vertical end panels and one or more horizontal panels extending between the end panels to form flat shelves upon which objects to be stored can be placed. The end panels may include multiple fixing points at various heights at which the shelves can be fitted to the end panels. This allows a user to choose the different shelf heights at which the shelves will be fitted.

A disadvantage of this type of shelving unit is that the objects to be stored on the shelves must stand upright or sideways on the flat shelves if they are not to fall off the shelf. This limits the type of objects that can be stored on the shelves. Furthermore, the shelving unit can be configured only by moving the flat shelves vertically between the fixing points.

OBJECT

It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

SUMMARY

There is disclosed herein a storage unit comprising:

a first end panel and a second end panel arranged in spaced relation with and parallel to one another, each of the first and second end panels having an external side and an internal side;

at least one elongate rod arranged for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel; wherein

the first end panel and the second end panel each include at least one rod receiving element in the internal side thereof in which an end of the at least one elongate rod is receivable therein, wherein the at least one rod receiving element includes a first seat portion in which the end of the at least one rod is receivable in a first configuration;

a second seat portion in which the end of the rod is receivable in a second configuration, and a channel section extending between the first seat portion and the second seat portion, the channel section being shaped such that the end of the rod is elevatable out of one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion and movable within the channel and into the other of the first seat portion and the second seat portion.

Preferably, the first seat portion and the second seat portion are laterally offset from one another.

Preferably, the first seat portion and the second seat portion are vertically offset from one another.

Preferably, the channel section includes a shoulder adjacent at least one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion.

Preferably, the rod receiving element is repeated along a length of each of the first end panel and the second end panel to form a chain of the rod receiving elements. More preferably, the chain of rod receiving elements is continuous. But importantly is not constrained by the shape of the continuous channel or the number of rods required.

Preferably, the end panel includes a plurality of the repeated rod receiving elements across a width thereof.

Preferably, adjacent chains of rod receiving elements are vertically offset from one another. Alternatively, the adjacent chains of rod receiving elements may be vertically aligned with one another.

Preferably, the channel section between the first seat portion and the second seat portion of the at least one rod receiving element is curved. More preferably, the channel section is generally ear-shaped. Alternatively, the channel section is generally wave-shaped, but may also have more severe angles throughout the channel.

Preferably, the at least one rod receiving element includes a third seat portion and a further channel section extending between the second seat portion and the third seat portion, wherein the further channel section is curved.

Preferably, the first end panel and the second end panel are each sealed at the exterior side thereof such that the at least one rod receiving element is visible only on the interior side thereof.

Preferably, the storage system further includes an insert panel (optional) and arranged between the first end panel and the second end panel in spaced relation therewith and parallel thereto, the insert panel including at least one receiving element for receiving the at least one elongate rod therethrough.

Preferably, the chain of rod receiving elements on the first end panel is vertically and horizontally aligned with the rod receiving elements on the second panel.

Preferably, the rod receiving elements of the insert panel are aligned with the rod receiving elements of the first end panel and the second end panel.

Preferably, the storage unit includes a plurality of the elongate rods for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel. More preferably, the plurality of elongate rods is arrangeable within the rod receiving elements to form a shelf. The plurality of elongate rods may be configurable to form a flat shelf. Alternatively, the plurality of elongate rods may be configurable to form a curved and/or sloping shelf.

Preferably, the storage unit is freestanding though there is also the option to retro fit the first and second end panels and/or the insert panel and/or the individual channels between two opposing walls, which might be, but not limited to, inside any standard bookcase, cabinet, cupboard or shelving unit after removing the existing flat shelving, or even fitting between the existing shelving.

An advantage of the storage unit is that the rods can be moved within the chain of receiving channels formed by the receiving elements and can be configured to form shelves that are shaped and spaced apart from one another according to the size and shape of the products to be stored on the shelves. For example, the design of the receiving elements allows the rods to be formed into flat shelves, curved shelves or sloping ‘ski-jump’ shaped shelves. This would allow for the shelf to hold items in a flat or level position but allow for a minor adjustment to store the items at an angle that allows for a better viewing or storage position. The shelves may be closely spaced or widely spaced from one another in the vertical direction. It is envisaged that the storage system can be used to store a wide variety of articles including containers of various sizes, books, DVDs, CDs, wine bottles, shoes and boots, both flat and high heeled, tools, paint containers, general hardware items, hats, scarves, towels and sporting equipment such as bats, balls, rackets and Helmets.

Another advantage of the storage system is that it can be manufactured in different heights and widths to fit its different needs. The channel pattern design can also be manufactured to a size that allows for smaller or larger storage needs, such as larger boxes, containers, or smaller items such as jars, canned food, spice bottles, general food pantry items, food storage containers, cooking utensils such as pots, pans and electrical items.

Another advantage is that the channel pattern design does not have to be a continuous repeated pattern, but may be manufactured to suit different uses.

Furthermore, the elongate rods can be moved if desired to change the layout of the shelves formed by the rods, meaning that the storage system is adaptable to the changing storage needs of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a storage unit according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a chain of a rod receiving channel, showing two adjacent rod receiving elements of the storage unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a flat shelf formed from a plurality of rods of the storage unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a curved shelf formed from a plurality of rods of the storage unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the internal side of an end panel according to the first embodiment of the storage unit;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an internal side of an end panel of the storage system according to a second embodiment of the storage unit;

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an internal side of an end panel according to a third embodiment of the storage unit;

FIG. 8 is a partial view of a rod receiving channel of the end panel of FIG. 6 showing two adjacent rod receiving elements;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of a rod receiving channel of the end panel of FIG. 7 showing two adjacent rod receiving elements; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 1 with an insert panel.

FIGS. 11a-11d are partial views of alternative rod receiving channels of the storage unit.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the internal side of an end panel of a retro fit system, showing three rod receiving channels mounted to an existing shelving unit.

FIG. 13a is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the storage unit.

FIG. 13b is a front view of the storage unit of FIG. 13 a.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a storage unit 1 having a first end panel 10 a and a second end panel 10 b arranged in parallel and in spaced relation to one another. The first end panel 10 a and the second end panel 10 b are each elongate rectangular panels having an exterior side 12 a, 12 b respectively and an interior side 14 a, 14 b respectively, the interior sides 14 a, 14 b facing one another in use. A plurality of elongate rods 20 extends between the first end panel 10 a and the second end panel 10 b, connecting the panels 10 a, 10 b to one another to form a freestanding storage unit.

The interior sides 14 a, 14 b of the end panels 10 a, 10 b each respectively include at least one, preferably two or more, rod receiving channels formed of chains of repeating rod receiving channels as shown in FIG. 5. The first end panel 10 a includes rod receiving channels 30 a, 30 b and 30 c whilst the second end panel 10 b includes rod receiving channels 32 a, 32 b and 32 c.

The receiving element 40 is a generally ear-shaped elongate curved channel having a first seat portion 42 at a lower end thereof in which an end of one of the plurality of rods 20 rests. The first seat portion 42 forms the “ear lobe” part of the ear-shaped channel. A second seat portion 44 is located at an opposite end of the curved channel at the ear “tip”. The first seat portion 42 and the second seat portion 44 are both laterally and vertically offset from one another.

A curved section 46 extends between the first seat portion 42 and the second seat portion 44, through which the end of the rod 20 may move. A space 48 lies above the first seat portion 42 such that the end of a rod 20 seated in the first seat portion 42 can be disengaged from the seat portion 42 and lifted into the space 48 and thereafter into the curved section 46.

A shoulder 50 is located at the end of the curved section 46 adjacent the second seat portion 44. The rod 20 must overcome the shoulder 50 in order for it to be seated in the second seat portion 44. In this manner, the rod is securely seated in the second seat portion 44 and is not easily disengaged. A second space 45 lies above the second seat portion 44 to allow disengagement of the rod 20 from the second seat portion 44. In use of the storage system, a rod 20 resting in the first seat portion 42 can be lifted out of the seat portion 42 into the space 48 and moved upwardly through the curved section 46, over the shoulder 50 and into the second seat portion 44 as shown by the dotted arrow in FIG. 2. If desired later, the end of the rod 20 can be easily lifted out of the second seat portion 44 into the space 45 and past the shoulder for movement back to the first seat portion 42 or upwardly into the adjacent receiving element 60.

The rods 20 are movable inside each of the rod receiving channels 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 32 a, 32 b and 32 c as desired to create custom “shelves” made up of a plurality of the rods 20. For example, FIG. 3 shows a schematic of a shelf configuration formed of three of the rods 20 that are located in the second seat portions 44 a, 44 b and 44 c of the rod receiving elements 40 a, 40 b, 40 c respectively. As such, the rods 20 are aligned at the same height with one another to form a flat shelf. Such a shelf may be used to store books, DVDs or other flat edged objects. Alternatively, the middle rod could be seated in the first seat portion 42 b so as to form a curved shelf as seen in FIG. 4. Such a shelf could be used to store bottles of wine, shoes, boots, hats, scarves or sporting equipment.

A second embodiment of the rod receiving channels 70 a, 70 b and 70 c is seen in FIG. 6. Each rod receiving element 80 of the rod receiving channels 70 a, 70 b, 70 c is generally wave-shaped as seen in FIG. 8. The receiving element 80 includes a first seat portion 82, a second seat portion 85 and a curved channel section 88. A space 83 above the first seat portion 82 allows a rod 20 resting in the seat portion 82 to be disengaged therefrom for movement through the channel section 88. A shoulder 84 at the end of the curved channel section 88 must be overcome by the rod 20 before it can rest in the second seat portion 85.

A variation on the wave-shaped rod receiving channels 89 a, 89 b, 89 c is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. In this variation, an element 90 includes a first seat portion 92, a second seat portion 94 and a third seat portion 97. Each seat portion has a space 93, 95 and 98 respectively lying above it to allow for disengagement of a rod 20 from the seat portions 92, 94 and 97. A shoulder 91 lies adjacent the first seat portion 92. A shoulder portion 96 lies adjacent the second seat portion 94 and a shoulder 99 lies adjacent the third seat portion 97. A curved channel section 100 extends between the space 93 and the shoulder 96/space 95. A further curved channel section 101 extends between the space 95 and the shoulder 99/space 98.

It will be appreciated that further embodiments of the rod receiving element design are envisaged. For example, the rod receiving elements may be “S”-shaped, “J”-shaped or “7”-shaped. As such, the described embodiments are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

The storage system 1 also includes an insert panel 110, shown in FIG. 10. The insert panel 110 is identical to the first end panel 10 a and the second end panel 10 b, with the exception that the rod receiving channels 120 a, 120 b and 120 c extend all the way through the insert panel 110. The insert panel 110 is arranged between the end panels 10 a and 10 b, parallel to and in spaced relation from each of the panels 10 a, 10 b as seen in FIG. 10. In this manner, the rods 20 can pass through the rod receiving channels 120 a, 120 b and 120 c and be supported by the insert panel 110.

The end panels 10 a, 10 b and the insert panel 110 can be made from metal, plastic, wood, wood laminates or composites. The rods can be made from metal, wood or a durable plastic that can bear sufficient weight. The rods should accordingly be of a large enough diameter that they can withstand normal load and bending load.

The storage unit can be provided as a self-assembly storage system that the user can configure to his/her own storage needs. Alternatively, the storage unit may be provided ready assembled such that the user simply needs to move the plurality of rods 20 into the desired configuration for his/her storage needs.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be considered by persons skilled in the art that the invention can be described in many other forms. 

1. A storage unit comprising: a first end panel and a second end panel arranged in spaced relation with and parallel to one another, each of the first and second end panels having an external side and an internal side; at least one elongate rod arranged for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel; wherein the first end panel and the second end panel each include at least one rod receiving element in the internal side thereof in which an end of the at least one elongate rod is receivable therein, wherein the at least one rod receiving element includes a first seat portion in which the end of the at least one rod is receivable in a first configuration; a second seat portion in which the end of the rod is receivable in a second configuration, and a channel section extending between the first seat portion and the second seat portion, the channel section being shaped such that the end of the rod is elevatable out of one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion and movable within the channel and into the other of the first seat portion and the second seat portion.
 2. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first seat portion and the second seat portion are laterally offset from one another.
 3. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first seat portion and the second seat portion are vertically offset from one another.
 4. A storage unit as claimed in any one of claims 1, wherein the channel section includes a shoulder adjacent at least one of the first seat portion and the second seat portion.
 5. A storage unit as claimed in any one of claims 1, wherein the rod receiving element is repeated along a length of each of the first end panel and the second end panel to form a chain of the rod receiving elements.
 6. A storage unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the chain of rod receiving elements is continuous.
 7. A storage unit as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of the first end panel and the second end panel includes a plurality of repeated rod receiving elements across a width thereof.
 8. A storage unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein adjacent chains of rod receiving elements are vertically offset from one another.
 9. A storage unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adjacent chains of rod receiving elements are vertically aligned with one another.
 10. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the channel section between the first seat portion and the second seat portion of the at least one rod receiving element is curved.
 11. A storage unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the channel section is generally ear-shaped.
 12. A storage unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the channel section is generally wave-shaped.
 13. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one rod receiving element includes a third seat portion and a further channel section extending between the second seat portion and the third seat portion, wherein the further channel section is curved.
 14. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end panel and the second end panel are each sealed at the exterior side thereof such that the at least one rod receiving element is visible only on the interior side thereof.
 15. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, further including an insert panel arranged between the first end panel and the second end panel in spaced relation therewith and parallel thereto, the insert panel including at least one receiving element for receiving the at least one elongate rod therethrough.
 16. A storage unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the chain of rod receiving elements on the first end panel is vertically and horizontally aligned with the rod receiving elements on the second panel.
 17. A storage unit as claimed in claim 15, wherein the rod receiving elements of the insert panel are aligned with the rod receiving elements of the first end panel and the second end panel.
 18. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a plurality of the elongate rods for connecting the first end panel to the second end panel.
 19. A storage unit as claimed in claim 18, wherein the plurality of elongate rods is arrangeable within the rod receiving elements to form a shelf.
 20. A storage unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of elongate rods is configurable to form a flat shelf.
 21. A storage unit as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of elongate rods may be configurable to form a curved and/or sloping shelf.
 22. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 that is freestanding.
 23. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second end panels and/or the insert panel are retrofittable inside a standard bookcase after removing the existing flat shelving. 